DETAILED ACTION
Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
Drawings
The drawings are objected to under 37 CFR 1.83(a). The drawings must show every feature of the invention specified in the claims. Therefore, the target conductor loops (claim 7) must be shown or the feature(s) canceled from the claim(s). No new matter should be entered.
Corrected drawing sheets in compliance with 37 CFR 1.121(d) are required in reply to the Office action to avoid abandonment of the application. Any amended replacement drawing sheet should include all of the figures appearing on the immediate prior version of the sheet, even if only one figure is being amended. The figure or figure number of an amended drawing should not be labeled as “amended.” If a drawing figure is to be canceled, the appropriate figure must be removed from the replacement sheet, and where necessary, the remaining figures must be renumbered and appropriate changes made to the brief description of the several views of the drawings for consistency. Additional replacement sheets may be necessary to show the renumbering of the remaining figures. Each drawing sheet submitted after the filing date of an application must be labeled in the top margin as either “Replacement Sheet” or “New Sheet” pursuant to 37 CFR 1.121(d). If the changes are not accepted by the examiner, the applicant will be notified and informed of any required corrective action in the next Office action. The objection to the drawings will not be held in abeyance.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(b):
(b) CONCLUSION.—The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor regards as the invention.
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph:
The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the applicant regards as his invention.
Claims 1 - 14 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph, as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor (or for applications subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, the applicant), regards as the invention.
As to claim 1, it is unclear how sensing element is configured for detecting a component of the superposition of the magnetic field.
Claim 1 recites the limitation "the superposition" in lines 4 and 5. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Claim 3 recites the limitation “the width” and "the traces" in line 1. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Claim 4 recites the limitation "the conductive traces" in line 1. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
As to claim 7, it is unclear what is meant by the phrase “at least one target conductor loops so that the current of the said conductor is enclosed at least twice by the magnetic core”.
Claim 9 recites the limitation “the width” in line 3. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Claims 2 - 14 are rejected by virtue of their dependency on claim 1.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis (i.e., changing from AIA to pre-AIA ) for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status.
The following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 U.S.C. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this Office action:
A person shall be entitled to a patent unless –
(a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale, or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
Claim(s) 1 – 3, 6, 8, 10 – 11 and 13 - 14 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Ausserlechner (2014/0266180).
As to claim 1, Ausserlechner discloses sensor systems and methods for residual current detection comprising a sensing element (314a, 314b) ([0038], Fig. 3C) for detecting magnetic field [0006], [0038], a magnetic core (302) ([0036], Fig. 3C) with an opening (308) ([0038], Fig. 3), and a substrate (310) embedding at least two target conductors (304) ([0038], Fig. 3C) wherein the magnetic core (302) is arranged for enclosing the at least two target conductors (304), the sensing element (314a, 314b) being configured for detecting a component of the superposition of the magnetic field generated through the opening by at least two currents carried by the respective target conductor (304) (Fig. 3C, [0004], [0032]), the sensing element (314a, 314b) being mechanically uncoupled from the magnetic core (302) ([0039, fourth sentence]), the sensing element being further configured to provide an output signal indicative of the superposition of the magnetic field (Fig. 3C, [0004], [0017]).
PNG
media_image1.png
502
530
media_image1.png
Greyscale
As to claim 2, Ausserlechner discloses that the sensing element (314a, 314b) is at least 0.5 mm away from the magnetic core (302) [0039].
As to claim 3, Ausserlechner discloses that the width-to-thickness ratio of the traces (104, 304) is at least 10, for example at least 100 [0017].
As to claim 6, Ausserlechner discloses that the sensing element (341a, 314b) is provided on a sensor on the substrate (320) comprising the at least two target conductors (304) [0038].
As to claim 8, Ausserlechner discloses that the number of conductors (304) is between 3 and 5 (Fig. 3C).
As to claim 10, Ausserlechner discloses that the sensing element (214a, 214b) is sensitive to a component of the magnetic field in one direction [0031].
As to claim 11, Ausserlechner discloses that the sensing element (314a, 314b) is provided on a sensor substrate (320) comprising at least one planar surface on a side, wherein the magnetic sensing element (314a, 314b) comprises an axis of maximum sensitivity parallel to the plane of the largest surface of the sensor substrate, wherein the opening (308) is provided on the magnetic core (302) such that the magnetic field across the opening is parallel to the axis (x-axis) of maximum sensitivity of the sensing element ([0031], Fig. 3C).
As to claim 13, Ausserlechner discloses that a processing circuit (110) configured to detect fault based on the superposition signal [0004], [0024] and [0033].
As to claim 14, Ausserlechner discloses that the processing circuit (110) is configured to detect fault upon detection of a field surpassing a threshold value [0004] and [0033].
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103 which forms the basis for all obviousness rejections set forth in this Office action:
A patent for a claimed invention may not be obtained, notwithstanding that the claimed invention is not identically disclosed as set forth in section 102, if the differences between the claimed invention and the prior art are such that the claimed invention as a whole would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the claimed invention pertains. Patentability shall not be negated by the manner in which the invention was made.
Claim(s) 9 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Ausserlechner (2014/0266180) in view of Racz et al. (2007/0164727).
As to claim 9, Ausserlechner discloses that the sensing element (314a, 314b) is provided on a planar sensor substrate (320) comprising at least one largest dimension (Fig. 3,). Ausserlechner fails to explicitly disclose that the at least one largest dimension of the sensor substrate is smaller than the width of the opening. Racz et al. (hereinafter Racz) discloses a device for measuring current wherein the at least one largest dimension of the sensor substrate (4) is smaller than the width of the opening (14). ([0023], Fig. 3).
PNG
media_image2.png
484
666
media_image2.png
Greyscale
Therefore, at the time of the invention, it would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to modify the device of Ausserlechner in view of the teachings of Racz wherein the at least one largest dimension of the sensor substrate is smaller than the width of the opening would result in effective screening of an external magnetic field.
Claim(s) 12 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Ausserlechner (2014/0266180) in view of Labbe et al. (2022/0163569).
As to claim 12, Ausserlechner discloses that the sensing element (314a, 314b) is provided on a planar sensor substrate comprising at least one largest surface, wherein the opening (308) is provided on the magnetic core (302) such that the magnetic field across the opening is parallel to the axis (x-axis) of maximum sensitivity of the sensing element ([0031], Fig. 3C). Ausserlechner fails to explicitly disclose that the magnetic sensing element comprises an axis of maximum sensitivity perpendicular to the plane of the largest surface of the sensor substrate. Labbe et al. (hereinafter Labbe) discloses a current transducer with magnetic core on primary conductor bar wherein the magnetic sensing element (8) comprises an axis of maximum sensitivity perpendicular to the plane of the largest surface of the sensor substrate (Fig. 7).
PNG
media_image3.png
336
326
media_image3.png
Greyscale
Therefore, at the time of the invention, it would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to modify the device of Ausserlechner in view of the teachings of Labbe wherein the magnetic sensing element comprises an axis of maximum sensitivity perpendicular to the plane of the largest surface of the sensor substrate would result in effective screening of an external magnetic field.
Prior Art of Record
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant s disclosure.
Gallot et al. (12,436,173) is cited for its disclosure of a current sensor system.
SPITZER et al. (2024/0264205) is cited for its disclosure of a current sensor device with an electric conductor and a magnetic sensor being spatially separated from the electric conductor.
Wolf et al. (2022/0214382) is cited for its disclosure of integration of current sensor with bus bar.
Geisler et al. (2018/0059148) is cited for its disclosure of a current sensor including a ferromagnetic core having a central opening for receiving a current conductor.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to REENA AURORA whose telephone number is (571)272-2263. The examiner can normally be reached M-F: 8:00AM-5:00PM.
Examiner interviews are available via telephone, in-person, and video conferencing using a USPTO supplied web-based collaboration tool. To schedule an interview, applicant is encouraged to use the USPTO Automated Interview Request (AIR) at http://www.uspto.gov/interviewpractice.
If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Lee Rodak can be reached at 5712705628. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
Information regarding the status of published or unpublished applications may be obtained from Patent Center. Unpublished application information in Patent Center is available to registered users. To file and manage patent submissions in Patent Center, visit: https://patentcenter.uspto.gov. Visit https://www.uspto.gov/patents/apply/patent-center for more information about Patent Center and https://www.uspto.gov/patents/docx for information about filing in DOCX format. For additional questions, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). If you would like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272-1000.
/REENA AURORA/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2858
Prosecution Insights